Prosecutors Dropping Charges Against Those Arrested For Curfew Violations
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) -- Public defenders are challenging the Baltimore mayor's authority to impose a citywide curfew after last month's riots stemming from the death of Freddie Gray.
In a filing Monday in Maryland District Court, the deputy city public defender says Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake overstepped her authority in ordering a citywide, 10 p.m. curfew for all residents April 27.
Natalie Finegar says only the governor could have ordered a curfew when he declared a state of emergency that day.
The curfew was in effect for five days. Finegar says dozens were charged with violating it.
The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office tells WJZ prosecutors are dropping all charges against individuals arrested solely for curfew violations. They say those arrests were punishment enough.
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